Daily Archives: Dec. 31, 2006

Open thread

Dec. 31, 20061:05 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (47)

Top 10 issues of 2007

Dec. 31, 20061:03 a.m.

We took a crack at ranking the Top 10 public policy/political issues of 2006. We tried to give preference to local and state issues. But issues such as Iraq and illegal immigration that generated a lot of public passion were high on our list. Obviously, this is very subjective. So we’d like to hear your thoughts. Would you have ranked issues differently? Did we miss a big issue?
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (29)

Respect businesses’ rights to be concealed-carry free

Dec. 31, 20061:02 a.m.

An article in The Eagle’s Business Today section explored how businesses are getting ready to handle concealed-carry, which becomes law in Kansas on Monday. Some businesses that want to bar anyone from coming onto company property while carrying have to post signs; others don’t, because they are exempted in the law. Many will agree with Brad Elliott, president and chief executive of Equity Bank, which won’t post signs barring guns. “It’s the person that doesn’t register and has a concealed weapon that I’m concerned about,” he said.
As Kansas adjusts to the law, the hope is that concealed-carry proponents will be respectful of business owners’ right to decide whether to welcome concealed guns, rather than harass sign-posting businesses for being anti-gun.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (68)

Year in political cartoons

Dec. 31, 20061:01 a.m.

Check out Richard Crowson’s review of 2006 cartoons. It’s a year that provided a lot of great material for a cartoonist.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (5)

Can a Kansan charm Iowa?

Dec. 31, 20061:00 a.m.

The Weekly Standard assesses the chances of Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., in the nearby Iowa caucuses, in which social conservatives have represented 25 percent to 30 percent of voters. Chuck Hurley, an Iowa lawyer on Brownback’s exploratory committee, tells the magazine: “He’s optimistic, he’s aspirational, he’s comfortable in his own skin. The more people he meets, the more people there will be who say, ‘I am really impressed.’” The article also notes that a Brownback autobiography is coming soon, “to introduce him to a skeptical nation and a dismissive punditry.”
Posted by Rhonda Holman

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Kansas delegation, Presidential race | Comments (4)